Biweekly menstrual cycle

[Doodie59]

I am 47 years old.  My periods have been coming every two weeks for the last 3 months and are filled with clots.  They are very heavy and are lasting up to a week!  Sometimes a day or two longer!
Any ideas?  Am I starting my menopause?

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. As menopause approaches, it is common for periods to get closer together and have clots.  The best thing is to ask your doctor to do a blood test for FSH.  That is a hormone test that causes eggs to develop.  As the number of eggs gets fewer, the FSH level increases and in the process, gives doctors a marker for menopause.  It doesn’t tell if you are in menopause, just that you are near and that you are less fertile.  Because you are having clotting for 3 months, your doctor might want to do an office procedure called an endometrial biopsy.  That involves placing a thin instrument into the uterus and scraping off a few cells and sending them to pathology.  If the tissue is benign, which is the most likely thing for it to be, then your doctor can treat the irregular bleeding with hormones and there is a good chance it can be controlled that way.  Sometimes it is necessary to look inside the uterus with a thin telescope called a hysteroscope.  That is usually done in the operating room but sometimes done in the office.  A D&C, which is a more complete endometrial biopsy, might also have to be done.  Usually that is done in the operating room with light anesthesia.

The good news is that although something serious could be going on, the fact it is only a 3 month problem, it is much more likely due to menopause approaching.  It is also a good idea to take an over the counter iron tablet and a multivitamin to be sure your are not losing enough blood to become anemic or iron deficient.
Machelle Seibel, MD

[Linda J]

Hi there, it could be peri-menopause, but I think you might be wise to get it checked out. It could also be a polyp, a fibroid, or an ovarian cyst. Better safe than sorry.

Linda J

[scoutshadow]

You could ask your doctor to get your FSH levels checked.  FSH (folicle stimulating hormone) levels start to rise during menopause becuse the ovary becomes less responsive.  Obove 20 and you are definately menopausal.